Thursday, July 9, 2009

Matchup for G85 - Nationals @ Astros

Immediately following G84 at 6:05pm, the Nationals will start G85, sending Russ Ortiz to the mound to face Nationals' ace John Lannan.

Tha Nationals are 5-23 in the first games of series, and of course one of those five wins is against the Astros. The Astros are 1-3 in games where they can reach .500.

Russ Ortiz

First of all, let's congratulate Russ on throwing 70IP already this season. Why is that important? Because 70IP is as many as Ortiz has thrown in the majors in one season since 2005.

That said, up until his last start @SF, Russ had managed to keep his ERA under 4.00 since June 4. Before the SF game, the ERA was at 3.36. Funny how 8ER in 5.2IP will invite your ERA to join 4.11 land.

John Lannan is The Man. 6-5 on a team that is 24-58. Six wins, and the other starting pitchers for the Nationals have 11. Total. His ERA is a full run lower than the Nationals' SP2.

Lannan has faced the Astros once this season, on May 6 when the Nationals beat the Astros 9-4. Lannan's line: 6IP, 9H/3ER, 0K:2BB.

Last three starts:

Date-Opp

IP

H/ER

K:BB

GB/FB

Pit/Str

6/23 vBOS

6.1

9/3

3:2

9/15

109/69

6/28 @BAL

7.1

6/3

2:3

12/12

102/66

7/4 vATL

8

9/3

1:1

17/11

98/65

It's been since May 31 that Lannan hasn't thrown a quality outing, and that includes starts at Yankee Stadium and against Boston. Last time out vs Atlanta, Lannan got 4 GIDPs. So he won't strike too many batters out, but he's had 10+ groundballs in 11 of his 17 starts.

No comments:

About Astros County

Established in 2008, Astros County is your friendly neighborhood blog & grill. We are the Protectors of the Legacy of Dickie Thon, Defenders of the Honor of J.R. Richard, and Anti-American League. Orlando Palmeiro Was Safe.